Army Military Science Requirements

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Army Military Science offers progressive adventure-filled two-year and four-year programs, designed to teach students the leadership and management skills needed to pursue an exciting career in the United States Army or increase their leadership capabilities in the civilian sector. Students who successfully complete the program may receive a commission in the United States Army Active Forces, the Army Reserves, or the Army National Guard.

The Army Military Science program is divided into two course sequences, the basic course, and the advanced course. The basic course consists of four 100- and 200-level courses focused on basic leadership skills and an introduction to the U.S. Army. The basic course also includes a 400-level course in military history. Students who take the basic course offerings may take one or all the basic course offerings, receiving credit hours for each course without incurring a commitment to further study in Army Military Science or any branch of the armed forces. The advanced course consists of five 300- and 400-level courses that provide training and instruction encompassing a wide range of subjects from organizational and managerial leadership, ethics and professionalism, and military justice, to the United States. The understandings and experiences derived from these courses and adventure-training exercises enable a student to grow into an effective junior officer in the U.S. Army.

The basic course is typically completed during a student’s freshman and sophomore years. If a student continues to the advanced course, typically their junior and senior year, the student will incur a military obligation. The obligation may be served in the Active Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard after the student is commissioned as an officer after completion of the Army Military Science program. Students may request guaranteed reserve forces duty, which allows the student to pursue parallel dual careers in the reserve components of the Army and civilian economy. Students who wish to complete the program and receive a commission must earn a bachelor’s degree in any field of study, maintain appropriate academic standards set forth by the Army, and meet all necessary physical fitness requirements for military service.

Veterans of any service, students who are currently members of the armed forces (Reserve or National Guard), and students who have successfully completed three or four years of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instruction may be eligible to enroll in the advanced course when they have obtained junior academic status at the University. Students who have no prior military service may attend a 28-day Cadet Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, which will qualify them for entrance into the advanced course of Army Military Science. This camp incurs no obligation on the part of the student.

All students enrolled in the advanced course will attend a 35-day Cadet Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky between the first and second years of the advanced course (normally the summer between the student’s junior and senior school year). Both the Cadet Basic Camp and Cadet Advanced Camp pay the student for travel and attendance, plus provide free room, board, and uniforms. Students also learn about the wide range of Army career specialties available and can request duty in those fields where qualified.

Those students currently in the Guard or Army Reserves may continue to participate in their Guard/Reserve unit and pursue a commission through the Army’s Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Participation in the simultaneous membership program allows soldiers currently serving in the National Guard or Army Reserve to receive increased pay and leadership experience while performing unit drills.

Freshman and sophomore students enrolled in the four-year program are eligible to compete for Army Military Science scholarships for up to three- and one-half-years. These scholarships pay full tuition, fees, books and up to $420 per month subsistence allowance. Illinois residents who are enrolled in Army Military Science courses and fully participate in Army ROTC can compete for Illinois State Army ROTC tuition scholarships, which pay tuition and other selected fees. Illinois tuition scholarships do not require a military obligation. All students enrolled in the Army Military Science advanced course will receive a monthly cadet subsistence allowance of $420.

In addition to courses offered for academic credit, the Department of Army Military Science sponsors extracurricular activities, internships, and advanced individual military training. The Ranger Challenge Team and Color Guard Teams are open to all ROTC students. Adventure training takes place in the form of rappelling clinics, basic rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, survival training, basic parachute training, air assault training, and historical battlefield terrain walks. Internships are available with many Department of Defense or interagency organizations such as the Department of Energy, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Geographical Combatant Commands. The department also conducts multiple Cadet lead traditional military social functions throughout the year.

Further information or answers to any questions for Department of Army Military Science, please contact our office at telephone 618-453-5786.

Leadership (Military Science) Minor

The Department of Army Military Science offers a Minor in Leadership with the focus of Military Science. It is available to all students willing to complete at least 25 credit hours of Army Military Science courses and additional elective courses from the Professor of Military Science approved elective list. This minor emphasizes leadership and critical thinking skills. The course is designed to give students the leadership tools necessary to succeed in the military or any other civilian profession. Students not enrolled in Army ROTC can complete this minor without incurring any type of military obligation. Students which are not enrolled in the Army ROTC program will take basic Army Military Science (AMS) courses along with additional public speaking, advanced composition, and leadership courses. Students enrolled in the Army ROTC program will take basic Army Military Science courses, advanced Army Military Science courses, and Cadet Advanced Camp. Students must discuss their minor program with the Department Chair, Army Military Science, to design a coherent program to meet their individual needs.